Salary AND JOB outlook

Starting Out

The average wage for a blood spatter analyst at the time of publication was $61,000 according to the SimplyHired website. However, blood spatter analysts are classified as a subcategory of science technicians by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the bureau, in 2009, the average compensation for all forensic science technicians, including those working as blood spatter experts, was $55,040 annually, or $26.46 per year.

Range of Salary

Blood spatter analysts usually make somewhere between $41,000 and $65,000 per year, according to 2011 data from the Frontstart website. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that forensic science technicians in the lowest 10th percentile earned $32,900 a year, or $15.82 per hour, in 2009. Those in the 90th percentile made $82,990 annually, or $39.90 hourly. Susan White of the Kaycircle website presents an even larger range, indicating that rates can be as high as $160,000 for very experienced analysts.

Outlook

Experience greatly lends to the credibility of a blood spatter expert. Those who have been in the field for several years thus make more than someone in an entry-level position. White claims that, in 2010, a starting blood spatter analyst made $42,000 annually. With five years of experience, compensation was $75,000. With more than 10 years in the field, typical pay was anywhere between $85,000 and $160,000.Once you have worked as a blood spatter analyst for a while, you may be able to get additional compensation by finding additional work through independent investigation. You can get paid for testifying in court, as well as for occasionally lecturing and teaching. The Frontstart website asserts that analysts who pursue these paths have better compensation than ones who do not.